Motion Picture Herald (Oct-Dec 1956)

20th -Fox, Republic In Distribution Deal . . . Extending earlier agreement, 20th-Fox will handle distribution of all Republic 35mm product in Britain, effective Oct. 15 by PETER BURNUP LONDON: Under a long-term agreement reported here this week all Republic Pictures 35mm product will be distributed in Great Britain “in association with 20th Century-Fox” effective October 15. The new arrangement is, in effect, an extension of the long standing agreement under which 20th-Fox handles the distribution of Republic product in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa — which agreement also has been renewed. To Maintain Identity It is reported further that Republic has agreed to produce all of its future product in CinemaScope. The Republic product, however, will maintain its own identity, that is, the films will not carry the 20thFox trademark. London executives believe that Herbert J. Yates, Republic president, will probably produce 17 pictures in the next 12 months. Affected by this latest Republic-20th-Fox deal are the 131 employees in Republic’s London office. 20th-Fox is expected to absorb about 50 per cent of the Republic staff while Victor Green, Republic’s London chief, has been pestering other distributors to absorb the remainder. Mr. Green himself probably will sit in at the 20th-Fox office as Mr. Yates’ representative. All the distributors here including the majors, are laboring under the burden of increased costs, due to the sharp rise in wages in the course of the last six months and to the increase in the costs of colour prints. The “big five” American distributors are cutting costs in all directions and currently are considering the amalgamation of their provincial branches. DAVIS ON "FLYING VISIT" TO CANADA AND U S. John Davis managing director of the Rank Organisation, left London this week on what he described as a “flying visit” to Canada and the U. S. He will visit Montreal, Toronto, Chicago and New York. He is due back in London on October 23. The Rank chief declines to say whether or to what degree his visit is related to the intensive survey of the American market, so far as British pictures are concerned, which is known to be in progress. Mr. Davis will be accompanied on his Canadian-U. S. tour by Kenneth Winckles, joint assistant managing director of the Rank Organisation, and in New York, October 15-22 will be joined by Harry Norris, joint managing director of Rank Overseas Distributors. BFPA AND KRS CONTINUE BBC TALKS WITHOUT CEA A showdown is clearly indicated in regard to our recently reported CEA’s refusal to cooperate with the Trade’s other three associations in their negotiations with the BBC. In spite of the exhibitors’ claim that producers and distributors cannot now go ahead with their TV plans BFPA serve emphatic notice that producers and distributors will do precisely that. At its meeting this week, the Producers’ Association’s executive council decided unanimously to join with KRS in an endeavour to conclude an agreement with the BBC for the controlled supply of a limited number of feature films; whether CEA approves or not. Announcing the decision, BFPA’s director-general, Sir Henry French, said: “We are thoroughly convinced that this is the right thing to do; that it is not only a question of principle at stake but that the industry has got to make up its mind whether some understanding with the BBC would be better for the industry as a whole — all parts of it — than something which is entirely uncontrolled and which would be carried on by the BBC without any reference to the film industry at all.” Sir Henry did not agree with those who thought that once having established the principle there would be nothing to prevent the BBC wanting more. “There is no reason why the film industry should not be just as strong negotiators as anybody else,” he maintained. Indications mount that CEA must somehow or other promptly find convenient means of climbing out of the unhappy impasse in which it finds itself in consequence of the surprise resolution its General Council recently adopted. CEA’s policy, by reason of the resolution, is currently regulated by the now notorious Llandudno resolution which binds exhibitors virtually to boycott producers and distributors who trade with TV. But, it is now asked, how can such a resolution have effect when both BFPA and KRS have declared their intention to deal with the BBC? LATTA STILLS RUMORS OF WARNER A.B.P.C. SALE Despite Jack L. Warner’s categorical statement that Warner Bros, had no intention of selling the company’s holding in A.B.P.C., rumours persisted here to the effect that take-over bids were still being made. They were effectively stilled when C. J. Latta, ABPC managing director, call a special conference of trade press editors. Mr. Latta told the newsmen that he had further talks in Paris with Serge Semenenko who had asked him to confirm -emphatically Mr. Warner’s earlier declaration. The ABPC chief added: “Mr. Semenenko expressed himself as being very pleased with the progress made by ABPC, and it is his wish that we continue to follow a very progressive policy in the operation of our studios, theatres, distribution and television companies. “He confirmed that Warners has the greatest confidence in the future of our organization.” ANGEL RETURNS WITH ROSEATE REPORTS Immediately following the return here of Daniel M. Angel with roseate reports of the reception his picture — “Reach for the Sky” — received at TOA’s New York convention, it was disclosed that Harry Norris, joint managing director of J. Arthur Rank Overseas Film Distributors Ltd., was joining his chief, John Davis, on the latter’s arrival in New York. Mr. Norris will be taking with him to America prints of three top J. Arthur Rank pictures “Reach for the Sky,” “A Town Like Alice,” “The Battle of the River Plate.” He plans making a package distribution deal for the three films. Some American exhibitors, said Mr. Angel, had reported to him that distributors in some cases lost interest in a picture if it didn’t catch on at the outset. “That is why I think it is imperative that there should be fewer distributors handling our top product,” said the British producer. Points to Big Houses Mr. Angel counsels that the distributor of a top subject should go out forthwith after the circuits. “If you have faith in a big picture, go out for the big houses. You can always get the art houses on the way,” is what Angel says. His reading of the situation is that things improve every day for good British product in America. He estimates that a successful British subject can now gross $700,000 to $800,000 in art houses alone, against the $200,000 to $400,000 which prevailed a year or so ago. But Mr. Angel is playing for big time. Twenty-eight British, American. Canadian, Australian and European news film organisations are to boycott the Olympic Games in Melbourne because of restrictions imposed by the Olympic Committee. A statement issued by the Newsreel Association of Great Britain and Ireland says: “These news film organizations have been denied the right freely to cover the Games themselves. After more than a year of negotiation it was clear that the film news pool would not be able to provide the minimum proper news service. 22 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, OCTOBER 13, 1956